Couple's petition over pink shop given public backing

Peter Lown decided to splash out on his shopfront so it matched the colour of the carrier bags used in his greeting cards shop.

But Mr Lown and his wife, Ann, were dismayed when Teesdale District Council refused listed building consent to keep the colour on their premises, in the Market Place, Barnard Castle, County Durham.

The decision to turn them down was taken by council officials under delegated powers, without any public discussion by council members.

Mr and Mrs Lown have put in a new application, backed by a petition signed by 1,500 residents, who said the pink was acceptable.

Because of the public interest, it will be dealt with this time at a meeting of a development control committee, so councillors will have a chance to say what they think before a vote.

The couple said they were delighted after they had the three-storey shopfront painted pink, with upstairs window surrounds in purple, last autumn.

Officials told them the colour scheme was unsuitable for the town centre and that they would have to apply for listed building consent to retain it.

Mr Lown said: "We felt the pink was ideal in the first place. But it has become paler after the rain and snow of the last few weeks, so we hope the council will now accept it.

"We are willing to compromise by changing the windows to a more neutral colour if that is requested, though we believe they look fine as they are now."

Planning officer Wendy Thompson, who is handling the case, said: "I will have to look at all the details before deciding what recommendation to make. It is impossible say what the outcome will be this time."

Mr and Mrs Lown, who have owned the shop for 12 years, said they decided on pink as a cheerful colour to match the image of their shop and their pink carrier bags. In the past, they had the front painted in blue, light brown and cream.

Mr Lown said: "A lot of local people and visitors have told us we have brightened up the town centre really well."